Celebrating a Legacy: A Farewell to Our Dedicated Director of Animal Care

Eau Claire, 7/15/24 – It is with a mix of gratitude and sadness that we announce the departure of Karen Rabideaux, our esteemed Director of Animal Care, who has been a cornerstone of our organization for over a decade. Karen’s journey with us has been nothing short of extraordinary, and her contributions to animal welfare have left a mark on our shelter and animal welfare community.

Karen began her remarkable career with animals shortly after graduating from college, working at the Milwaukee Zoo for many years. Her passion for animals took her across the globe, studying wildlife in diverse regions such as Papua New Guinea, Australia, South America, and beyond. This wealth of experience enriched her understanding and dedication to animal science and welfare, making her an invaluable asset to ECCHA.

In 2012, Karen joined our shelter as the Volunteer Coordinator, among other roles; including coordination of foster placements, animal caretaker, helping with marketing and fundraising, moving into an Assistant Director role, and most recently, Director of Animal Care. Throughout her tenure, Karen’s leadership and vision have been instrumental in our shelter’s growth and success.

Karen’s dedication and tireless efforts have been pivotal in helping us achieve no-kill status, a testament to her unwavering commitment to animal welfare. Her innovative approach and compassionate care have set a standard for excellence that will continue to inspire our team and the animal welfare community.

Now, as Karen embarks on a new chapter in her career, we are proud to share that she will be joining Best Friends, a national organization committed to no-kill and animal welfare practices. In her new role, Karen will travel throughout the Midwest, sharing her expertise with shelters that have yet to achieve no-kill status, providing them with the tools and support needed to reach this important milestone for not only their community, but animals across the United States.

While we will miss Karen’s leadership, lessons, and laugh, we are excited to see her continue her impactful work on a broader scale. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Karen for her dedication to ECCHA over the years and wish her all the best with her next career with Best Friends.